Auger blade



June 8, 1954 ||I D BROWN 2,680,597

AUGER BLADE Filed Feb. 8', 1952 Ticyl. Ilv

INVENTOR Ho WARD D. @Row/v ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES `ATENT OFFICE AUGER BLADE Howard D. Brown, Westfield, N. J

Application February 8, 1952:, Serial No. 270,637

(Cl. Z55-69) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to auger drills used in drilling holes. More particularly, the invention deals with devices of this type and kind .employing a blade construction, adapting such drills for use in drilling holes in frozen ground or hard ground of any type `and kind. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a blade structure of the character defined, wherein the teeth of the blade are so constructed and positioned as to form a series of circumferential vcuts. in the soil and to simultaneously and intermittently lift and break the raised Iportions of the soil intermediate the formed grooves, thus facilitating and expediting the rdrilling operation.

The novel features of the invention will be .best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate .parts are designated by suitable reference characters .in each of the viewsand, in which:

Fig. 1 is Ya diagrammatic sectional view, indieating part of a formed hole in the soil and indicating the manner of drilling to form the hole therein, the rauger and blades thereon being shown in raised position, part of the construction being broken `away and in section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing only the tool.

Fig. A3 is a .view looking in the direction of the arrow .3 of Fig. 2, illustrating Athe blade mounting.

Fig. 4 is a `View similar to Fig. 3 showing a different blade mounting; and

Fig. 5 is a face view of a blade showing a modied form of construction.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I vhave indicated at I the tubular shaft of an auger drill, II representing part oi the screw blade, which has an end |52, welded or otherwise secured toa tool supporting bar I3. Thebar i3 has an integral upwardly extending stud Iii which is disposed in the lower end of the tube lo and welded therein. The bar I3 also includes an integral downwardly extending split or fork-shaped portion I 5,1m which the upper endof an auger .point I6 is supported by a .transverse .bolt Il.

The auger point I6 has, on opposed surfaces of its Atapered .edgesdeposits I8, note Fig. 2, of Vhard wearing material, as is commonly known in this art. is suliiciently free to provide flexing thereof in the operation of the tool.

The 'bar I3 lhas ,a long Aend portion I9 which includes the end l2. Theend .portions is offset with respect `to the axis of the tube I0,.asclear- The mounting of the auger point .IG

1y seen in Fig. 2 and a short end 2l)j which is substantially in alinement with the axis of the shaft Ii) and is rectangular in cross-sectional form.

Mounted on the Vlong end I9 of the bar I3 is one of my improved blades Y2l having, in the construction shown, four ,cutter teeth 22, 2223, -24 and 25. Mounted on the short end 2) is a blade 2t having, in the construction shown, two cut-ter teeth k2 and 28. The Vtee-,th 2l and 23 are positioned closely adjacent the axis of the shaft Il) and are adapted to form, inthe soll or ground '28, grooves 3i), `3|, respectively, in the operation of Ydrilling ,a hole 32 in the ground, as noted in Fig. 1.

ln Alike manner, the teeth 2t-25, inclusive, form the grooves -3'3, '34, 135 and v35. Between the grooves there will be formed raised portions, generally identified Aby the reference character :ii and, Vat the lef-t of Fig. l, one of these raised portions has been shown as chipped or broken olf, as seen at 38, and, at 39, illustrated diagrammaticall-y removal of one of the `raised portions. The showing is schematic simply to illustrate the Voperation of the tool and the fact that the vraised portions are chipped cr gouged-out by the Iblades in the man-ner later described in the operation of the tool. The `raised Iportions are, of course, circumferential. The auger point forms `a conical aperture 4e in the soil, as the drill vmoves downwardly and the raised portions M, adjacent the pointpare -brokenoff 'by the vblade 2li.

Considering-now Figs. l and l2 of the drawing, :it will appear that .the lower end portions of :the teeth 22-24, inclusive, have hardened -deposits, as at :42, -and -on the tooth 25, the hardened deposit 43 extends upwardly along the outer edge 44 of the tooth. All of the teeth 22-2 `are .backed on their `rear Isurfaces by ribs 45, a -sicle elevation vof one of these ribs, namely the Arib -on lthe tooth `2-5 abeing clearly seen in Fig. 3. lThe lower lend lof these -ribs is bevelled, as -seen at 46 Yin Fig. 3.

The upper end -of the blade 2i has an oifset Aflange portion 411, note Fig. 3, which seats snugly on the surface of the bar I9 and bolts 48 are employed to securely-clamp the blade 2i -to the bar I9. The blade 4also 1has an extending shoulder 49, which :bears :upon another surface ofthe bar i9, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

It will be understood that @the blade .'26 .is of Lthe same l general structure, as the blade 121|, .except from the standpoint that A,the teeth 21, L2 8 extend .angularlgy .in .a direction opposite .to the -teeth ofthe kblade 26 as noted in Fia 2,

3 bolts for attaching the blade 26 are indicated at 48, but otherwise no further detailed description of the blade 26 will be given.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, the angularity of the teeth 22, 23, 24 and `25 with respect to the axis of the shaft l is clearly illustrated, in other words, the teeth extend outwardly in a slight scoop-like fashion.

In Fig. 2 of the drawing, I have shown at the right-hand portion thereof in dot and dash lines at 50 portions of the travel of the surfaces or lower cutting edges of the various teeth 22-25, 27 and 2B and this will clearly demonstrate the formation of the grooves 30, 3l, 33, 34, 35 and 35, as shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification in the mounting of a blade 2 l which is generally similar to the blade 2i, this blade being mounted on a bar I9' which has a greater olset with respect to the axis 5I than the bar i9 and, further, the blade 2l' is mounted on the lower surface of the bar I9 and is xed thereto by bolts, one of which is shown at 48". Further, the blade 2i has a raised shoulder, as at 49', rather than the lower shoulder 49, as shown in Fig. 3. At 25 is shown the end tooth of the blade 2 i and this tooth will be of the same structure as the tooth 25 having the hardened surface deposit, as at 43. At i6' is shown the auger point, which will be identical with the point I6.

Considering Fig. 4, it will be apparent that, by the outward extension of the bar I9', the teeth, as at 25', will be disposed substantially in alinement with the axis 5l; whereas, in considering Fig. 3, there the tooth 25 is odset with respect to the axis of the shaft Hl.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have shown a face View of a modified form of blade 52 which I employ, this blade being generally of the contour of the blade 2 l, including the upper flange portion 53, similar to the flange lll, and having apertures, as at 58, to receive bolts, similar to the bolts tl. The blade 52 has a series of teeth 55, 5t, 5'.' and 58 which are generally similar to the teeth 22-25, inclusive, with the exception that the teeth are inclined in the direction of the axis of the auger or might be said to be toedin. The purpose of this construction is to extend the side surfaces 59 of these teeth in an angular manner, so as to facilitate the chipping and breaking of the raised portions of the soil and, further, the ribs, as at 60, which back the teeth, are positioned in an angular manner to provide a more rigid backing, resisting the stresses or strains to which the teeth are subjected.

The other opposed side edges El of the teeth will also provide an extension of the teeth to the point of maintaining a substantially common hole size in continued uses of the blade in forming a series of holes, it being understood that the teeth wear upwardly to a point governed substantially by the deposit of the hardened surfaces thereon as, for example, at 42 and 43, and at B2, 63 in Fig. 5 of the drawing.

It will be apparent that the teeth 25 and 58 are wider than the other teeth of the blades 2 i, 52, respectively, to give greater strength and rigidity to the blade farthest from the axis of rotation of the auger.

It will be understood that, in the operation of v the auger, the particles removed in forming the grooves and the chipped or broken-off particles intermediate the grooves are fed upwardly by the screw l l, shown in Fig. 1, but no attempt has been made to illustrate this operation and, for sake of clarity, the auger, with the blades thereon, has been shown in raised position in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 2, I have shown at l59 the side edges of the teeth 22-25, which are equivalent to the side edges 59 and these side edges or side edge portions, as well as the portions 59 and side edge portions 59 on the blade 26, note Fig. 2, form what might be termed wedging bar portions, which engage the raised portions, as at 31, Fig. l, and serve to chip and break these portions in removal of the same and actually produce, in operation, arc-like segments as they are removed from the hole. The auger, in operation, may be fed downwardly simply by the weight of the auger or, in other instances, a definite down feed can be contributed to the auger, consistent with the degree of soil removal which would be practical under the existing conditions.

The auger blades may be said to comprise a mounting end portion and a tooth end portion. The mounting end portion has the angularly disposed portions which snugly seat upon the angular surfaces of the bar. In the construction shown and noting Fig. 3 of the drawing, these surfaces of the bar are at right angles to each other and this provides a rm support and backing of the blade on the bar. From a standpoint of description, the long bar I8 may be said to be disposed tangentially with respect to the stud axis or the axis of the drive shaft l0; whereas the short bar 2Q may be said to be disposed radially with respect to such axis.

In the operation of the auger, it will be understood that, as circumferential grooves ,are formed by the teeth in the soil in the manner illustrated at 30, 3i, 33, 34, 35 and 3E, the raised ring portions 3? are intermittently engaged and broken out in parts or sections, as heretofore stated, by engagement of the inner edge portions of the teeth therewith. These inner edge portions cross the area of the raised ring portions of the soil, as is diagrammatically indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. It would be diicult to illustrate accurately the action oi the auger and it must suiiice to .say that, in actual practice, the chips or curved segments are broken out and discharged in the operation of drilling the hole. With diierent frost and soil conditions, as well as feed of the auger, the size and character of the chips would vary.

One of the advantages of my improved auger construction resides in the fact that the tool may be operated with conventional apparatus in frozen grounds and certain hard soil conditions by simply utilizing the weight of the drill to feed the cutters into the ground and providing, in this operation, a free action with little or no vibration or jarring. This operation is made possible by reason of the fact that a minimum amount of the soil is being cut or gouged by the cutter teeth in the rotary drive of the auger and the breaking action takes place through a torque which minimizes the stress and Strain and avoids the necessity of utilizing excessive power and positive feed. It will, thus, be apparent that, with my improved construction, the desired operation can be accomplished in a minimum amount of time and at a minimum of expense. The blades will withstand considerable wear, the bevelled rear surfaces of the teeth facilitating presentation of sharp cutter edges for a relatively long period of time.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hole drilling tool of the character 4'described, comprising a screw shaft, an elongated cross-bar xed to the lower end portion of the shaft, said cross-bar having a stud fixed in said shaft, the cross-bar having, in axial alinement with said stud, a downwardly extending forked member, a flat auger point having tapered side edges yieldably fixed in said forked member, side edges of said auger point projecting beyond said forked member, said cross-bar being offset with respect to the shaft axis and having angular surfaces disposed at right angles to each other, a cutter blade detachable with respect to said bar, said blade having a flange portion seating on one of the surfaces of the bar and a bearing portion seating on the other surface thereof, said blade having a plurality of cutter teeth extending downwardly and at an angle to the axis of said shaft, and said angular surfaces of the crossbar and front surfaces of the teeth being flat and having hardened portions.

2. A hole drilling tool of the character described, comprising a screw shaft, an elongated crossbar xed to the lower end portion of the shaft, said cross-bar having a stud fixed in said shaft, the cross-bar having, in axial alinement with said stud, a downwardly extending forked member, a flat auger point having tapered side edges yieldably fixed in said forked member, side edges of said auger point projecting beyond said forked member, said cross-bar being offset with respect to the shaft axis and having angular surfaces disposed at right angles to each other, a cutter blade detachable with respect to said bar, said blade having a ange portion seating on one of the surfaces of the bar and a bearing portion seating on the other surface thereof, said blade having a plurality of cutter teeth extending downwardly and at an angle to the axis of said shaft, said angular surfaces of the crossbar and front surfaces of the teeth being iiat, and the rear surfaces of the teeth having rearwardly contracted ribs.

3. An auger of the character described, comprising a shaft engaging member, an elongated bar extending outwardly with respect to and offset with respect to the axis of said member, said bar having angularly disposed surfaces extending longitudinally thereof, a blade detachable with respect to said bar, said blade having a plurality of downwardly extending teeth having alined fiat, front surfaces disposed angularly to the axis of said member, rear surfaces of the teeth having contracted ribs, said blade having an offset end defined by a flange and shoulder, said flange and shoulder having right angle surfaces engaging the angularly disposed surfaces of said bar, Said shoulder being continuous with the ribs of said blade, lower end portions of said ribs being tapered in the direction of the lower ends of said teeth, said blade being disposed on said bar in wide spaced relationship to the axis of said member, another bar integrally united with the first bar and extending at the opposite side of said member, another tooth blade detachable with the last named bar, and having teeth disposed in close proximity to the axis of said member.

4. An auger of the character described, comprising a shaft engaging member, an elongated bar extending outwardly with respect to and 0E- set with respect to the axis of said member, said Ibar having angularly disposed surfaces extending longitudinally thereof, a blade detachable with respect to said bar, said blade having a plurality of downwardly extending teeth having alined fiat, front surfaces disposed angularly to the axis of said member, rear surfaces of the teeth having contracted ribs, said blade having an offset end defined by a flange and shoulder, said ange and shoulder having right angle surfaces engaging the angularly disposed surfaces of said bar, said shoulder being continuous with the ribs of said blade, lower end portions of said ribs being tapered in the direction of the lower ends of said teeth, said blade being disposed on said bar in Wide spaced relationship to the axis of said member, another bar integrally united with the first bar and extending at the opposite side of said member, another tooth blade detachable with the last named bar, having teeth disposed in close proximity to the axis of said member, said member comprising a stud integrally joining said bars, said stud having a downwardly directed forked end, and a fiat auger having tapered sides movably coupled with said forked end.

5. An auger of the class described, comprising a shaft engaging member, an elongated cross-bar, said member comprising a stud integral with said bar, the arrangement of the stud on said crossbar forming long and short bar portions, a pair of blades detachable with respect to said Ibar portions, said bar portions having angularly disposed surfaces, said blades having offset flanges and shoulders bearing on said angular surfaces in rm support of the blades thereon, each of said blades having a plurality of downwardly extending teeth, said teeth having alined flat front surfaces disposed angularly with respect to the axis of said stud, rear surfaces of the teeth having contracted ribs, and the long bar portion being offset with respect to the axis of said stud.

6. An auger of the class described, comprising a shaft engaging member, an elongated cross-bar, said member comprising a stud integral with said bar, the arrangement of the stud on said crossbar forming long and short bar portions, a pair of blades detachable with respect to said bar portions, said bar portions having angularly disposed surfaces, said blades having offset flanges and shoulders bearing on said angular surfaces in firm support of the blades thereon, each of said blades having a plurality of downwardly extending teeth, said teeth having alined flat front surfaces disposed angularly with respect to the axis of said stud, rear surfaces of the teeth having contracted ribs, the long bar portion being offset with respect to the axis of said stud, said stud having a downwardly extending forked portion, and a flat auger movably coupled with the forked portion of the stud and having contracted side edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,826,087 Newman Oct. 6, 1931 1,899,771 Reed Feb. 28, 1933 2,239,461 Mann Apr. 22, 1941 2,320,612 Kandle June 1, 1943 2,504,978 Henning Apr. 25, 1950 2,578,014 Petersen Dec. 11, 1951 

